Man who killed boy, 15, as part of ‘pathetic gang rivalry’ set for early prison release

A gang member who killed a teenage boy as part of a ‘pathetic rivalry’ is eligible for early release after serving a year of his sentence.

Marko Balaz, 19, was jailed for 11 years in October for being involved in the killing of Daejuan Campbell – a 15-year-old boy who was fatally stabbed eight times with a zombie-style machete by Imrie Doue in Woolwich in September 2024.

At the time of his sentencing, Judge Sarah Munro KC said Balaz and Doue targeted the younger boy as part of a ‘pathetic gang rivalry’.

Daejuan, who was preparing to go back to school the next day, was ambushed by the pair who had covered their faces. As he lay dying, he told a witness: ‘Don’t let me die, I am only 15.’

Balaz was found guilty of manslaughter, as he provided backup and encouraged Doue to deliver the fatal blows.

But Daejuan’s mum Jodian was told Balaz is being considered for early release as the government looks to ease overcrowding in prisons.

She told Metro: ‘I feel like I am not allowed to grieve. One of them is being considered for early release, and the other is appealing his sentence.’

The prison early release scheme, which was first initiated by Keir Starmer’s government, was set to see 6,000 offenders let out early in September, but has since been pushed back to October.

Jodian said: ‘I was at the park when I found out, and it was so distressing. I already don’t think justice has been served, but this undermines it even more.’

Offenders serving standard fixed terms who were due to be released after 50% of their sentence, will be let out after serving 33%. Those who committed violent crimes will be released after 55%.

Mr Burnham announced that those who committed rape, serious child sex offenses and grooming will be excluded from upcoming cuts to prison services.

But Jodian has argued Balaz, who was 19 when he was sentenced, was an adult who had targeted a child who was walking alone in London, and should also be included in the exemptions.

Gang crime experts also fear this will add to a criminal’s rank and status after being released early.

Dec James, an expert witness in gang crime, said that one of the largest indicators of gang seniority is how many times you have been to prison.

He told Metro: ‘If you are a drug dealer for a gang, go to prison and don’t snitch on any higher-ups, it shows to them you are trustworthy.

‘Being released from prison is one of the ways you progress. You walk out with a higher rank.’

Mr Burnham said he wanted to go ‘even further’ when discussing criminals exempt from the scheme, but that was not possible without the prison system collapsing and putting the public ‘at much greater risk’.

Announcing the changes, he said: ‘I fully understand the anger, anxiety and distress that’s been caused. I’ve heard that loud and clear.

‘I want to be honest – I wanted to go even further as I know there will still be concerns about other offenders having their sentence shortened.

‘But it’s not possible without the prison system reaching capacity and collapsing, which would put public safety at much greater risk.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@usnewsrank.com.

For more stories like this, check our news page.